Milan patience

When I read this piece with Billy I immediately noticed something that some of us long-sufferign fans have been saying for several years--be patient with this squad and it WILL pay off. We saw the results last year and we're seeing it again this year. This squad rocks!!



COSTACURTA RESTS UPON MILAN PATIENCE
3/1/2005 3:49:00 PM
Experience is a good teacher. Billy Costacurta met the gathered media at Milanello on Tuesday afternoon, as the team resumed training ahead of Saturday’s trip to Atalanta.

The veteran defender ruled out the possibility that Milan are over boosted by the latest successes and with his usual wisdom and experience said: ’I believe that it is impossible to lose the concentration at this point of the season. I mean, if you start well from the beginning, then it is possible that you can get sidetracked, but now we are close to the final rush and we know it. We can’t take the pitch if we are not at our best, we must always take the most of every game.’

Milan have clinched six consecutive victories in February, against Messina, Lazio, Reggina, Cagliari, Manchester and Inter. Billy explained the great quality of the team: ’The team have managed to deal with the difficult moments. Our new ability is to know that if you play with attention, it is also easier to win even when you are not so brilliant. And this season in the league, especially against quality opponents, it is not easy to lead the play. To play against Inter and dominate them is not possible, against those teams who are at your same level, you win thanks to other qualities. So we did in the derby and even against Manchester United. At Old Trafford we played a great game.’

Costacurta also returned to the derby victory. He said: ’Fortune? To call it good luck is really superficial. This can be a component, but not what made the difference. Against Inter we didn’t play a beautiful game but for the whole 90 minutes we had the sensation we could score and win at any time. This Milan side know each other perfectly, we get on well tactically on the pitch and not just that. Months ago the talk was of our defensive problems, now we don’t make mistakes anymore. It is right to stress this point and say that we have a further weapon at our disposal. Well, it is true that we don’t always play at our best, but perhaps one reason lies in the absences. We are without our top scorers, Sheva and Inzaghi, of course this does not help. Hernan [Crespo] is doing well, Jon [Dahl Tomasson] has also returned from injury and is looking for the best form, Andriy and Pippo have had many problems. Milan have done well not to make their absences felt. We would like to play better, but I think that if we had shown an attractive football but drawn level in the derby, it would have been worse than to have played not so brilliant and have won. I think the fans agree on this. The last derby we lost was due to a lucky goal from [Christian] Vieri, this time we came off best.’

The Rossoneri half-back continued: ’After the two slip-ups against Livorno and Bologna we found ourselves in deep water. We tucked up our sleeves and overcame that difficult moment in the best way, joining Juve top of the table. January and February were two beautiful months, we did wellas we leart to be patient. When you face teams that press in masse, it is crucial to be able to wait. On the pitch you know you can’t be aggressive for 90 minutes, that’s why we usually score after the break. The opponents slow down, as it happened with Lazio, for example. Dabo didn’t stop Kaka when he shot, in the first half he would have done it. This is also a key to read the game. Our group is realy compact, the Italians have helped the foreign players to fit in well, we were able to convey the values of this club. I am one of the veterans in the dressing room, every team in Europe have their columns.’

The 38-year-old could not avoid focusing on Kaka, the title challenge and the upcoming trip to Atalanta. He said: ’I think the standard Kaka is playing now can be enough. I don’t see all these problems. On the contrary, I think it is important to have [Pippo] Inzaghi and [Andriy] Shevchenko recovered. Andriy and Kaka have something in common, they are similar. In his first period at Milan Sheva was not always consistent. The same was for Ricky. He has had the same performance as last season, and just as last season he lacks some consistency. But this is quite normal. I have not seen any young talents who at the age of 22-23 have managed to be perfect throughout the whole season. As for Juve and Milan, they are two great teams, it will be an exciting challenge until the end. We have much in common, it is impossible to say which of us are the favourites. However, we must focus on one game each time, starting from the trip to Atalanta. To undervalue this game could be really dangerous.’

Impossible not to agree with him.

great reading, thanx Debs!!

and of course I agree with San Billy's words....unlike others, Milan is not just a bunch of players (and great ones by the way), but we are actually a TEAM...and the best there is!

!!!FORZA MILAN!!!

Costacurta is the man

PS. I change the thread title, as Milan was misspellt.

Do you think number 5 would be out when Billy retires? I'd like to see that, although we r gonna be out of numbers

Originally Posted by Goirre

great reading, thanx Debs!!

and of course I agree with San Billy's words....unlike others, Milan is not just a bunch of players (and great ones by the way), but we are actually a TEAM...and the best there is!

!!!FORZA MILAN!!!

Right, Goirre, I think we can see the poor results another team (ahemmm!!!) is always having because they are JUST a bunch of players!!


Thanks Henrik, I was in a hurry when I posted and never even noticed my typo!!! I am after all the Queen of Typos....

Originally Posted by Debs

I am after all the Queen of Typos....

You are also the Queen of Milan Mania

Originally Posted by Debs

When I read this piece with Billy I immediately noticed something that some of us long-sufferign fans have been saying for several years--be patient with this squad and it WILL pay off. We saw the results last year and we're seeing it again this year. This squad rocks!!

Yes. We all have the endure some bad times when it happens. But that only makes the Victories and titles much more sweeter. Only when you fall in the deepest darkness of the vallies will you appreciate and enjoy standing on the highest mountain.

Great Post Your Majesty! DRI Debs Regina Primus

Billy has said somethings here that show his maturity, and statesmanship. I continue to be impressed by this club...my club...its players, its medical staff have been consistent in a few things so far this season...their maturity, kindness, and confidence.

I am so happy to be a Milan fan right now.

Costacurta mentions patience, and indeed, this is an attribute severely lacking among most teams, players, owners, and fans.

We fans need to exercise some more patience with our squad(me included ) as this squad is one of the better ones since the dream team of the 80s, with Van Basten et al.

Even with injuries to key players, its good to see that we can dig deep, and produce the necessary results.

FORZA MILAN!!

PS Hey Debs, good to see u posting roun dese parts again!

Fantastic piece and Billy is a true legend. I especially like the part of helping the foreign players to bed in and teach them what the values of this club means. It is a true team, a family of players.

Originally Posted by Warro Bantan

:We fans need to exercise some more patience with our squad(me included ) as this squad is one of the better ones since the dream team of the 80s, with Van Basten et al.

:

personally i think this squad is even better than the late 1980's squad, while we were more dominant back then, the gap is narrower now it is more due to the strength of other teams at present.

we should enjoy this squad of players while we can, in a few years there will be no Maldini, Billy or Cafu and Sheva will be getting old so the future is very much a step in the unknown but in the present i.e. over the next few seasons i would not rule out 2 more champions league wins and scudettos. then this present squad will be regarded as the best ever

great reading this...especially as i have always been p[reaching this

Debs!

I love the part where Billy talks about teaching the younger and foreign players about the 'values of the club'. I just hope we keep him and Paolo when they finish playing. I think they will always show the youngsters about having pride in the Rossoneri shirt and if we aren't playing well, I'm sure we could just send the two of them into the dressing room to express their emotions. They are a credit to the club and a credit to themselves.